Best Canlit Podcasts (2024)

1
Mario Vargas Llosa: Literature Can Help People Live 49:03

29d ago49:03

49:03

In 1988, when Mario Vargas Llosa sat down on a Toronto stage with Adrienne Clarkson, he hadn't yet won his Nobel Prize for Literature (that came in 2010) so he wasn't yet a "central" figure in the world of writing. In this conversation, he teases out the hazy line between being an artist (who inhabits the world of the imagination), and being a prof…

1
Hilary Mantel: Experiments in Love 48:06

2M ago48:06

48:06

This audio recording of Hilary Mantel in conversation with Rosemary Sullivan was recorded on stage at Harbourfront Reading Series in 1997. It is used with the kind permission of the Toronto International Festival of Authors. Thanks to TIFA for allowing us access to their archives for this series. Find out more about the Festival and its annual fest…

1
123 - Can't Lit - Triple Treat Book Launch! 1:30:28

7M ago1:30:28

1:30:28

Welcome to the chaos of a book launch! Are all book launches like this? I hope so! The Triple Treat Book Launch took place on Sunday April 28th at beloved R&B Brewing. Jen Sookfong Lee was the host and books by Dina Del Bucchia (You're Gonna Love This), Daniel Zomparelli (Jump Scare) and Andrea Warner (The Time of My Life) were launched and feted a…

1
122 - Can't Lit - Tania De Rozario 1:10:24

8M ago1:10:24

1:10:24

Spring has sprung! And we have Tania De Rozario on the podcast to talk about her new collection of essays, Dinner on Monster Island as well as talking about horror as a conduit for feelings, loving ghosts, demons and phantoms and eating the rich. We also marvel at Rosie the wonderful podcast dog, and we promise to stop referencing (and trashing) Op…

1
121 - Can't Lit - Dina & Jen - What's the Point? 1:06:41

9M ago1:06:41

1:06:41

Hello listeners! Dina & Jen are chatting about stuff. Again! This time they're in conversation about the point. What is it? Like, really, what's the point? From writing in general, to specific projects to what they think the point of their own work might be they get down and dirty in the bog of self-doubt and self-loathing, confusion, and some ways…

1
Leilei Chen 58:56

9M ago58:56

58:56

In this episode of Crow Reads, Rayanne Haines speaks to poet, scholar, and translator Leilei Chen about her 2023 poetry collection, I Have Forsaken Heaven & Earth, But Never Forsaken You (Frontenac House). They discuss Chen’s history as a writer, translator and scholar, the act of betrayal in translation, the unknowingness and ambiguity of translat…

1
120 - Can't Lit - Dina & Jen - Lies Writers Have Told Us 58:46

10M ago58:46

58:46

Welcome to 2024! WOW! Can you believe it? Feels like the future. Sort of. I don't even know. DIna and Jen catch up and talk about raccoons and aquatic mammals and dog poop! Then they get into the books and stuff by telling tales and discussing lies they've been told by other writers. The untruths, the blanket statements, the one and only way to wri…

1
2023 Reading WrapUp - The Best of CanLit 19:29

11M ago19:29

19:29

Happy 2024! Have a listen to my top 10 reads of 2023, and a few short thoughts on them. It's safe to say that all of these books need to be on your TBR, so happy reading! Fiction: The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding The Light of Eternal Spring by Angel Di Zhang We Meant Well by Erum Shazia Hasan River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta Three Holidays and a…

1
Most Anticipated Reads of 2024 37:12

11M ago37:12

37:12

The last episode of 2023 is here, and I'm looking ahead to some early 2024 releases to kickstart my year with (as they slowly come out). Have a listen on what's on my pre-order shelf now! Pre-Ordered Books Mentioned Midnight by Amy Mcculloch (Jan 2) Twenty Seven Minutes by Ashley Tate (Jan 23) Broughtupsy by Christina Cooke (Jan 23) We Rip the Worl…

1
Holiday Romance Books For Your TBR 24:09

12M ago24:09

24:09

Check out the CanLit holiday romances that made my nice (and naughty) list! Books mentioned: It Happened One Christmas by Chantel Guertin The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox All I Want for Christmas by Maggie Knox Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaludin & Marissa Stapley The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli Fo…

1
119 - Can't Lit - Dina & Jen - CHAOS 1:05:37

12M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

Yes, it's true. We've been on an unplanned hiatus. But we're back and this episode is (basically) the chaos episode. We have no theme and we're talking about whatever we want! Britney, protests, IBS. This episode has it all! Listen now, if you dare!

1
Astrid Blodgett 44:40

12M ago44:40

44:40

In this episode of Crow Reads, Rayanne speaks to author Astrid Blodgett about her 2023 short story collection, This is How we Disappear, (UofA Press). The collection explores the consequences of grief and denial and single moments that change perceptions, lives, and attachments forever. Crisp prose and unexpected plot twists move relatable characte…

1
Spooky Season Review Roundup & A NetGalley Deep Dive 24:28

1y ago24:28

24:28

Still keeping the spooky season reading vibes going? Here are two spoilery chats about my latest reads, plus a deep dive into my unread NetGalley CanLit shelf of shame. Books talked about: Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong Follow the podcast on Instagram now @getcanlitpodcast! Discounts: If you love hardcover…

1
Books that fit the Fall vibe...and the Giller shortlist 23:34

1y ago23:34

23:34

Today’s episode is all about two amazing books - River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta and Jawbone by Meghan Greeley - as well as my thoughts on the disappointment that is the 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize Shortlist. Enjoy! Follow me @readingmaria and @getcanlitpodcast on Instagram!

1
Spooky Season Book Recommendations 26:36

1y ago26:36

26:36

If you're looking to add more mystery, thriller, horror, and dystopian Canadian authors to your spooky season reading plans, you've come to the right place! Book Recs: Things We Do In the Dark by Jennifer Hillier Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Blood Atonement by S.M. Freedman (use code READINGMARIA20 at dundurn.com) Moon of the Crusted Snow…

1
Natalie Meisner 48:52

1y ago48:52

48:52

In this month’s podcast Rayanne Haines speaks with playwright and poet, Natalie Meisner about her book, It Begins in Salt, a masterful collection of poems that wander the halls of an ocean blue-collar life while rummaging the heart spaces of growing up, and evolves into mothering, labours, and loves. This is a poetry book for poets evidenced in the…

1
On Marsha Lederman's Indigo Opinion Piece 38:25

1y ago38:25

38:25

Marsha Lederman recently wrote an opinion piece in the Globe & Mail entitled "Indigo is essential to CanLit, for better or for worse." This is a response to that as an avid Canadian book consumer.Follow me @getcanlitpodcast and @readingmaria on Instagram!

1
Introducing the 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize | Reading updates, book blanket, and Indigo's CEO 23:38

1y ago23:38

23:38

With so much to talk about, besides book mail, I figure now would be a great time to bring up the entire 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize longlist! Learn more about the books on their website now. Books mentioned: Bookmail: River Mumma by Zalika Reid-Benta; And Then She Fell by Alicia Elliott New releases: Rouge by Mona Awad; Daughter by Claudia Dey; H…

1
118 - Can't Lit - Nathan Whitlock 1:37:10

1y ago1:37:10

1:37:10

Hello! If you love summer, like Dina, you're probably sad it's coming to a close sooner rather than later. If you hate summer, like Jen, you're probably relieved! But no matter what the season, Can't Lit is here for you. And this month we talk to the one and only, author and podcaster (authors and podcasters, they're just like us because they are u…

1
What Comes Echoing Back - Leo McKay Jr. 32:05

1y ago32:05

32:05

Author Leo McKay Jr. joins Lindsay to discuss What Comes Echoing Back, his poignant new coming-of-age novel, 10 years in the making. He shares how his experiences as a teacher and father helped him to feel at home writing about teens; how he crafted a tender friendship between protagonists, Sam and Robot, amidst balancing their respective traumas; …

1
Summer Reads Recommendations 39:49

1+ y ago39:49

39:49

The dog days are NOT over. They are here. They are hot. And they are humid. So, it's only fitting Lindsay and Amanda bring you some summer lit recs straight from their own TBR lists. Both mood readers, they've got an eclectic mix of thrillers, beach (or deck) reads, non-fiction, and naturally, some East Coast must-reads including a charming fish-ou…

1
117 - Can't Lit - Some of Our Favourite Things 56:05

1+ y ago56:05

56:05

Summer is here and so are we! Dina and Jen get together IN PERSON! To catch up and chat about some of their favourite "books and stuff" things. Rosie is excited. They also talk about their health issues, the Barbie movie, Joyride, and why there should be pockets just for olives!By Can't Lit

1
The Remembering - Susan Sinnott 21:09

1+ y ago21:09

21:09

When memory is gone, what is left behind? Award winning author, Susan Sinnott, joins us from her home in Newfoundland to chat about her recent novel, The Remembering. The book—which Lindsay gives five enthusiastic stars—follows three generations of Newfoundland women as they navigate the triumphs and difficulties of life and explores how memory—in …

1
Editor Book Recommendations - Backlist 23:04

1+ y ago23:04

23:04

Nimbus Publishing's Managing Editor, Whitney Moran, is back with a brand new list of expert book recs. And this time, it's all about the backlist. An ode to the beautiful books that become buried in "best of" lists and TBR piles once the shiny new thing emerges on scene, Whitney shares some of her favourite backlist titles from Vagrant Press (Nimbu…

1
Shima Robinson AKA Dwennimmen 51:59

1+ y ago51:59

51:59

In this month’s podcast Shima Robinson AKA Dwennimmen speaks to us, among other things, about finding your place in the poetry community, supporting the community while advocating for artist payment, self-publishing and self-creation, and finding the intent of the poem through performance. Amiskwaciwâskahikan(Edmonton - Treaty 6) born poet and spok…

1
Some There are Fearless - Becca Babcock 28:21

1+ y ago28:21

28:21

Becca Babcock joins Lindsay to give a behind the scenes glimpse into her writing process and the inspirations behind her compelling and timely new novel, Some There are Fearless. Hear how she drew inspiration from her own experiences coming-of-age in military driven Cold Lake, how she works to craft deeply human characters and immersive settings, a…

1
Best KidLit Recommendations 40:28

1+ y ago40:28

40:28

Lindsay and Amanda (Book Me's Producer) dive into one of their favourite topics, children's books. They chat about the types of books that shaped them as children and the best local picture books to add to your library today. Plus Lindsay shares her tips on how to cultivate a bookworm providing real steps you can take to instill a love of reading w…

1
116 - Can't Lit - Andrew F. Sullivan 1:16:56

1+ y ago1:16:56

1:16:56

Hello listeners! We are here again with incredible guest, Andrew F. Sullivan! We love him, (and his dog and his wife) and his new novel, The Marigold. We talk about real estate monsters, writing horror, and so much more! We have a delightful time! And of course, your favourite Dina & Jen segments are here to make you feel and rage! Iggy wants you t…

1
Ali Bryan 1:05:44

1+ y ago1:05:44

1:05:44

For Ali Bryan, writing is an act of imagination performed as daily ritual. For this Calgary based author, character and plot speak as one device, and she rebels against labels that diminish the value of her writing and use of humour as a tool towards story development. This award-winning author writes family the way we live family, with no judgment…

1
Jack Scrine - HALIfolks: The Faces and Stories of Halifax 30:06

1+ y ago30:06

30:06

Journalist and Photographer, Jack Scrine, joins Lindsay remotely to chat about his book HALIfolks: The Faces and Stories of Halifax, a compilation of stories and images from his popular blog/social media project of the same name. He shares his inspiration for the project, his tactics for approaching strangers and helping them to open up, the respon…

1
Book Review: A History of Burning by Janika Oza 10:48

1+ y ago10:48

10:48

There is ONE book you absolutely have to read this year, and that's Janika Oza's debut A History of Burning. Whether you like historical fiction or not, let me convince you to pick it up ASAP! Find the podcast on Instagram at getcanlitpodcast!

1
Canadian Independent Bookstore Day Haul! 10:26

1+ y ago10:26

10:26

Did you go shopping at your local bookstore for #CIBD2023? Listen along for my book haul!

1
Editor Book Recommendations 34:15

1+ y ago34:15

34:15

Whitney Moran, Managing Editor of Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press, joins Lindsay to give a peak behind the editing scenes and share a whole host of expert book recommendations. Hear her break down some of her favourite recent reads and the comparable East Coast CanLit books you don't want to sleep on. From social outcasts and renaissance Italy …

1
Canadian Poetry Reading Roundup & More 30:00

1+ y ago30:00

30:00

Another day, another poetry review roundup, a giveaway for some cool CanLit, and other news! Check out these recent awards that were announced recently! The Ninth Annual Rakuten Kobo Writer Prize and the Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence. Find the podcast on Instagram at getcanlitpodcast, and don't forget to enter for your chance to win …

1
115 - Can't Lit - Catherine Hernandez 1:11:16

1+ y ago1:11:16

1:11:16

Hello! This month we finally got to live our dream and talk to the multi-talented and oh so wonderful, Catherine Hernandez! We talk about her new book, The Story of Us, writing with energy, untraditional families and narrators, talking like we're in a 1930s movie, style, and so much more! This episode is so fun we didn't want it to end!!…

1
Mystery, Nonfiction, and More Unrelated Genres 14:21

1+ y ago14:21

14:21

Talk about having an array of genres I review in this episode! Reviewed Books: Blackwater Falls by Ausma Zehanat Khan (check out my review on Instagram) 305 Lost Buildings of Canada by Alex Bozikovic and Raymond Biesinger Books Mentioned: Mad Honey by Katie Welch Tauhou by Kōtuku Titihuia Nuttall You Still Look the Same by Farzana Doctor Streams th…

1
Let's Talk About CanLit Poetry 11:47

1+ y ago11:47

11:47

In which I barely touch the surface of the state of the Griffin Prize. If you're curious about upcoming poetry collections you should read, make sure you listen to this episode! Thank you Guernica Editions for providing me with (digital) ARCs of the following titles: Love Is a Place But You Cannot Live There by Jade Wallace The Vanishing Act (& The…

1
Margaret Macpherson 52:45

1+ y ago52:45

52:45

In this episode, Rayanne speaks with Margaret Macpherson about her new book, Tracking the Caribou Queen: Memoir of a Settler Girlhood. The conversation looks at the ways the memoir touches on the racism deeply embedded in the North in the 60's and 70's and her understanding of it as a child and now in self-reflecting as an adult. Macpherson discuss…

1
114 - Can't Lit - Cody Caetano 1:12:08

1+ y ago1:12:08

1:12:08

Hello! Spring is here, and so is a new episode with the wonderful Cody Caetano! We talk about his book, Half Bads in White Regalia, voice, structure and memoir, and some of the ways readers respond to memoir. We of course talk about Rosie, and Cody's beautiful cats! And there are emotions and rage. Join us, and definitely read Cody's book!!…

1
More book buying & Canadians on international awards 7:47

1+ y ago7:47

7:47

A very short book buying update, and Canadian achievements with the Women’s Prize and the inaugural Carol Shield’s Prize! Books mentioned: Tell Me Pleasant Things about Immortality by Lindsay Wong Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury Children of Paradise by Camilla Grudova (Women’s Prize) Junie by Chelene Knight (Carol Shields Prize) God Isn't Her…

1
What impact will Indigo have on the Canadian book industry? 23:02

1+ y ago23:02

23:02

The Indigo situation is all Canadian book lovers are thinking about right now, and today I approach the impact of the cybersecurity incident from all perspectives. My recent reads mentioned: These Days Are Numbered by Rebecca Rosenblum Two For the Road by Chantel Guertin The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding Bad Cree by Jessica Johns Don't forget to …

1
113 - Can't Lit - Emily Riddle 1:06:41

1+ y ago1:06:41

1:06:41

Hello! This month we have the incredible writer, artist and library professional Emily Riddle! We talk about her wonderful poetry collection The Big Melt, tattoos, the importance of friendships, her luring people to Edmonton, and a lot of talk of snacks. As usual! There are some big laughs, and Emily saying some very insightful things, of course, J…

1
Emily Riddle 35:51

2y ago35:51

35:51

In this month’s podcast Rayanne Haines speaks with Emily Riddle about her debut poetry collection, The Big Melt. The collection is rooted in nehiyaw thought and urban millennial life events. It examines what it means to repair kinship, contend with fraught history, go home and contemplate prairie ndn utopia in the era of late capitalism and climate…

1
Canadian books about love you need to read now | Romance Authors For Your TBR 23:12

2y ago23:12

23:12

Ok, these might not be the most conventional romance authors, but hey. It's CanLit! Everything here has a "literary" aspect to it! Romance Book Recs mentioned: You Are Eating an Orange. You Are Naked. by Sheung-King (published by Book*hug Press) The Foghorn Echoes by Danny Ramadan (published by Penguin Random House Canada) Lucien & Olivia by Andre …

1
Black Canadian Voices you need to read now! 30:42

2y ago30:42

30:42

Today, I’m diving into some Black Canadian authors you should add to your to-be-read piles for February and beyond! *All links below are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission for qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Poetry Finish This Sentence by Leslie Roach Burning Sugar by Cicely Belle Blain Where the Baedeker Leads by J…

1
112 - Can't Lit - The Superfan Talk Show! Live! 52:04

2y ago52:04

52:04

Hello listeners! And Happy New Year! This month we present a special treat: a recording of Jen's Vancouver launch of Superfan, at The Refinery on January 29th, 2023. Dina hosts, Jen reads, then Dina asks Jen some real hard hitting questions! And there are multiple special guests! Andrea Warner and Shawn Hitchins tell Jen their pop culture nightmare…

1
2023 Canada Reads Thoughts & Recent Book Recommendations 23:10

2y ago23:10

23:10

In this episode, listen to some spoiler-free book reviews of my most recent reads, as well as some thoughts and predictions for the 2023 Canada Reads debates. Recommended Reads: *The Bliss House by Jim Bartley (Dundurn Press) *These Days Are Numbered by Rebecca Rosenblum (Dundurn Press) *The Centaur's Wife by Amanda Leduc (Random House Canada / Pen…

1
Wrapping Up the Best of 2022 CanLit 24:30

2y ago24:30

24:30

Wondering what Canadian authors to read? Listen in as I talk about some of the best (and a few of the not-so-best) CanLit books I read in 2022. Want more CanLit? Follow @getcanlitpodcast on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter today!

1
111- Can't Lit - Live with Hannah McGregor! 1:37:31

2y ago1:37:31

1:37:31

Happy Holidays! We talk to friend of the podcast, Hannah McGregor about her new book, A Sentimental Education, and so much more! INCLUDING: Jen tells us her perfect lipstick application process Cocktail, weed and mushroom delivery The White Lotus (Jen's favourite characters might surprise you) Dina wants you to watch Enlightened! Hannah has some Em…

1
Leslie Greentree 1:01:04

2y ago1:01:04

1:01:04

In this episode, Rayanne Haines speaks with author Leslie Greentree about character vs plot driven stories, how short story and novel writing are shaped, writing flawed characters and controversial stories, and about career longevity in an increasingly competitive market. Leslie Greentree’s short story collection, Not The Apocalypse I was Hoping Fo…

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